Combined propeller and rudder for boats.



E. E. WHITE.

COMBINED PROPELLER AND RUDDER FOR BOATS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, 15145 Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

ELIVIER E. WHITE, OF TILLAMOOK, OREGON.

COMBINED PROFELLER AND RUDDER FOR BOATS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

Application filed May 18, 1915. Serial No. 28,934.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMnR E. WHITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tillamook, in the county of Tillamook, State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Propellers and Rudders for Boats; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable-others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a combined propeller and rudder for boats.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a device by means of which the boat may be propelled either forwardly or rearwardly and at the same time steered.

A further object of the invention resides in so constructing the device that it will be actuated by a reciprocating rod connected to the engine to propel the boat when moving in one direction, but will cause no back pressure when moving to its initial position.

With these and other objects in view, such as will appear as the description progresses, my invention comprises the combination and arrangement of parts as set forth in and falling within the scope of the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing: Figure l is a side elevation of my device, showing the same attached to the stern of a boat, the boat being only conventionally represented and the device being in the position it will occupy at the start of its propelling stroke. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the position of the device at the start of its return stroke. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, the device being shown in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an elevational view, showing the position of the device when the boat is being turned.

Referring to the drawing wherein like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the several views: In the drawings I have illustrated, conventionally, the stern of a boat which is indicated by the reference character 1. In order that this boat may be simultaneously propelled and steered, I have provided a rod 2 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 3 on the stern of the boat. This rod 2 is formed of two sections hinged together by a suitable hinge 4. Mounted on the lower end of this rod 2 is a rectangular frame 5 which has a plurality of paddles 6 hingedly secured thereto. These paddles are mounted on the frame 5 1n spaced relation and are so arranged that, when in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, they will form a solid propeller, as will be readily understood. These paddles may swing upwardly about their hinges until they reach the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, at which time they will be prevented from further movement by the contacting of the edge thereof with the side bars of the frame 5, the edge being repre sented by the reference character 7 I11 order that this ropeller may be moved backwardly and forwardly, I have provided a reciprocating rod 8 which is adapted to receive its movement from a suitable engine (not shown). Formed on this rod is a collar 9 to which is connected, by a ball and socket connection 9, a link 10 having a collar 11 connected to the end thereof, which collar encircles the lower section of the rod 4 immediately above the propeller and in which collar the said rod 2 is rotatable. This collar 11 has a ball and socket connection 11 with the link 10.

As the reciprocating rod 8 is moved forwardly the propeller is drawn toward the stern of the boat with the paddles in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. As the reciprocating rod 8 starts its rearward stroke the paddles 6 assume the position illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing and the propeller will be moved away from the stern of the boat to propel the same forwardly, the movement of the propeller being caused by the connection 10 between the rod 2 and the rod 8 and being about the hinge 4 as a pivot.

In order that the boat may be steered, I have formed a tiller 12 on the upper end of the rod 2 by means of which the said rod may be turned in the collar 11 and with it the propeller. Now when the propeller is turned into the position illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing the action of the reciprocating rod 8 will cause the movement of the propeller to propel the boat and the particular position of the propeller will turn the boat. It is obvious that the tiller 12 may be turned in a direction opposite to that shown in Fig. 1, at which time the reciprocation of the rod 8 will cause the propeller to move the boat backwardly.

In order that the propeller may be guided in its movementiI have provided an arcuate guide member 13 which is secured by bolts 14 to the boat and extends rearwardly therefrom. Formed on the frame 5 is a projection 15 which extends into a channel in the said guide 13 and is movable therein.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a combined propeller and rudder by means of which a boat may be simultaneously propelled and steered and I have so constructed the device that the boat may be either moved forwardly or rearwardly at the will of the operator.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention, I have merely done so for the sake of convenience and I do not wish to be limited to that particular embodiment as it is obvious that numerous changes may be made within the details of construction thereof without in any way departing from the spirit of the 1 invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is A boat having a rudder post, a skeg projecting rearwardly from the stern of said boat and having a groove in its upper face, a rod pivotally connected to the lower end of said rudder post and having a lower end moving in the groove of the skeg, said rod having a frame formed intermediate its upper and lower ends, a plurality of paddles hinged to said frame, a reciprocating power rod, said power rod extending through the stern of said boat, a link, and ball and socket connections between the link and said rods.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

ELMER E. WHITE.

Witnesses:

RoLLIE W. WATsoiv, L. V. EBERHARDT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. 0. 

